GOLDEN MOON TRIUMPHS IN THE PINNACLE FEEDS MIDSUMMER CLASSIC (GR. IR. - BAR) 

BY CHARLIE HEATH

GOLDEN MOON under a driving finish by jockey Chris Husbands got up in the last stride to win the feature Pinnacle Feeds Midsummer Creole Classic (GR. IR. - BAR) at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday July 12, 2008.

Husbands kept the Gay Smith owned and bred GOLDEN MOON trained by Edward Walcott Jnr. just off the pace and produced the gelding as the horses turned for the final run home.

When starter Mark Batson sent the 12 horse field on their way the first to show was ROYAL EMBLEM followed by BOLD BALLARD, GUDFRIDIE, GOLDEN MOON and MARCUS AURELIUS.

As the horses turned into the straight for the first time ROYAL EMBLEM and GUDFRIDIE continued to set a merry gallop with THE BANGOR BARON taking closer order.

With four furlongs to go Andy Ward on ROYAL EMBLEM continued to lead from GUDFRIDIE, while Paul Leacock on the Boston John trained FRESH MILK moved into third. At this stage Husbands on GOLDEN MOON could be seen giving his horse a breather, falling right off the pace.

With three furlongs to go the Richard Deane trained ROYAL EMBLEM was trying to hold the lead, but was being pressed by FRESH MILK and VANDROSS, who had started to close on the leaders.

At the two furlong marker FRESH MILK picked up the running while ROYAL EMBLEM stared to fade and was back peddling. At the same time Jason Leacock on the Naz Issa trained VANDROSS took off after FRESH MILK.

As the horses straightened up for the final run home GOLDEN MOON, under a strong ride by Husbands was closing on VANDROSS, who had overtaken the highly favoured FRESH MILK and it was only in the last stride that GOLDEN MOON got his head in front of VANDROSS to win.

The EM & M owned VANDROSS was second, while FRESH MILK owned by Sunset Farms held on for third and another Gay Smith owned, Edward Walcott Jnr. trained gelding, ZOOM finished fourth, with Wesley Cave.

GOLDEN MOON looked a picture when going to the gates and all congratulations should go to his trainer Edward Walcott Jnr. and young Chris Husbands for winning their first local 'Classic' race.

The A1 - C2 sprint was won by Aysha Syndicate's 8-year-old mare WHO'S WAVERING trained by Liz Deane. This was the mares tenth career win and took her earnings over the $200,000 mark. Second was her stable companion WHO'S CRUISING while KINGDORA finished third.

Jockey Andy Ward won three races on the card all for owners Lord Michael Taylor-Clifton Racing.

Ricardo Hibbert showed some good form by winning two races whilst leading trainer William Clarke was the only trainer to saddle two winners.

Racing continues on Saturday July 26, 2008 with the feature races being Scotty’s Queens’ Plate for B1 – C3 class horses over 1800 meters (9 furlongs), Caronation Sprint and Kathleen Taylor Memorial Trophy for 2-year-old horses.